Geo Controversy: PEMRA members divided on issue

ISLAMABAD: The meeting of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) which was called regarding the notice issued to Geo News for maligning ISI and its Chief, could not reach a conclusion due to differences amongst members – ARY News reports.

According to details, the members of the Fact Finding Committee boycotted the meeting, while PEMRA has asked the Ministry of Law for an advice pertaining to any action against Geo News.

The meeting of PEMRA was held for the hearing of the notice issued to Geo News, after a application was submitted by the Ministry of Defence.

The meeting was attended by 10 members, instead of all the 12, during which debate continued for 2 hours, but the notice against Geo TV and the resumed filed by channel's administration was not included in the agenda.

Sources told that instead of focusing on Geo's campaign against ISI and the application submitted by the Ministry of Defence, other aspects were discussed.

It was further told that Israr Abbasi objected over the recommendations of the Fact Finding Committee not being discussed by the members, after which Israr Abbasi and Shams ur Rahman boycotted the meeting.

The meeting continued even after the boycott of two members and sought advice from the Ministry of Law against Geo TV.

Sources told that at first it was decided that matter will be forwarded to the Council of Complaint, but afterwards seeking an opinion by the Ministry of Law was decided by the members, as Israr Abbasi and Shams ur Rahman had warned of resigning from their posts, if the matter was forwarded to the Council of Complaint.